By 
Wade Rouse, the Author of “The Bluff” has written a captivating, memorable, witty and heart-felt novel. This is just the perfect book to read by the fireplace, with a cup of hot chocolate, wrapped in a cozy blanket. in your favorite place of seating/reading. The story takes place on Mackinac Island, at a fantabulous cottage, where the Chapmans do Christmas every year. But, this year is different. The Genres for this wonderful story are: Family, Contemporary Fiction, Christmas Holiday, Humorous Fiction, LGBTQ plus Family Life, and Literary Fiction. Wade Rouse vividly describes the location, setting, scenery, plot/s, and colorful and dramatic characters. The Chapman family does Christmas “their way” and they don’t want to share or change their traditions. This year, Kat Chapman insists on being the hostess, and breaking all of the Chapman Rules, wants her family to join in, including the dog. The Chapmans insist that they have a family that is picture perfect for everyone to see.The Chapmans want to look wealthy, cultured, and perfect, and Kay’s parents are locals that are average people.There are several generations of Chapmans together, and this year everyone will be stuck together because of a major storm. The two families are like oil and water. Can you imagine the mayhem?
Everything is not what it seems. Each of the Chapman’s has their own set of problems, and there are secrets, betrayals, twists and turns, plotting and scheming. Kat gives the servants the day off, and the Matriarch of the Chapman family is having a melt-down, without being able to use her control. I appreciate how the Author discusses family dynamics, and the importance of family, friends, acceptance, forgiveness , love and hope. I loved everything about this story and highly recommend it.
